Ex-county worker charged with theft

Melissa Tanji

Staff Writer

mtanji@mauinews.com

WAILUKU — A 59-year-old former Maui County Public Works district supervisor was charged with second-degree theft Tuesday, police records show.

Raynard Oshiro of Kihei was released on $5,000 bail in relation to a case from 2015, the records indicate.

Oshiro retired from Maui County in 2015 after 38 years of service, according to an online edition of the High Street Journal, a official publication of Maui County.

Also in 2015, a Honolulu TV news report uncovered a well-furnished commercial kitchen in the Wailuku Public Works Baseyard that had been outfitted with items charged to a government purchasing card, or pCard, in the possession of a Public Works district supervisor. News reports and police have linked Oshiro to the pCard abuse incident.

Oshiro could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In November 2015, the Maui Police Department completed its criminal investigation into the matter and turned over evidence to the prosecutor’s office.

Maui County Communications Director Rod Antone said in an email statement Wednesday afternoon: “Maui County does what it always does when we believe there may be wrong-doing by any of our employees. If the county learns that there may be a misappropriation of public funds we investigate administratively first, then if criminal offenses are discovered we turn the case over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.”

He added: “While the case is being investigated administratively, the county is prohibited by union contract from commenting on the matter. However, once criminal charges have been made the matter becomes public record. The fact that there was an arrest made in this case shows the system is working and we expect our prosecutors to take appropriate action.”

Maui County Prosecutor John D. Kim said via email that he could not comment on the case, as it is pending. Maui police said that the arrest is from a warrant and did not provide other details Wednesday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no court appearances had been scheduled for Oshiro, according to online court records.